Following is a question by the Hon Adrian Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 30):
Question:
According to the Police's Traffic Report 2024, the number of traffic accidents has been on the increase in recent years, from 15 107 in 2022 to 18 354 last year, with a rate of increase as high as 21.5 per cent. At the same time, the number of road sections defined by the Transport Department (TD) as traffic black spots had increased from 29 in the first quarter of 2022 to 57 in the fourth quarter of last year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the total number of traffic accidents which occurred at the traffic black spots in each of the past five years, and its respective percentage in the total number of traffic accidents in that year;
(2) whether the authorities have conducted studies or on-site assessments on various traffic black spots across the territory to analyse the cause of their formation (e.g. whether it is related to the road design, traffic flow capacity or pedestrian activities at such road sections); if so, of the respective findings of the studies and plans to improve the road facilities; whether the authorities have plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the design of roads across the territory, or introduce a smart traffic system (such as using artificial intelligence to monitor vehicle speed and making real-time adaptation to traffic signals) so as to enhance monitoring, thereby further reducing the number of traffic black spots in the long run;
(3) of the number of road improvement projects for traffic black spots in progress or completed (including but not limited to signages and improvement of transport facilities, etc) in each of the past five years; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the implementation of the projects concerned (including the numbers of traffic accidents which occurred at such road sections and the resultant casualties upon completion of the improvement works);
(4) given that the TD will install the "Traffic accident blackspot ahead" signs at traffic black spots to enable road users (including motorists and pedestrians) to identify the locations of traffic black spots more easily, and it has been reported that the TD had in the past put up notices and provided road markings of speed reduction at road sections at which serious traffic accidents had repeatedly occurred (e.g. the junction of Morrison Hill Road and Sports Road in Happy Valley), but the problem of frequent traffic accidents has not yet been resolved; with respect to road sections where traffic accidents still occurred frequently despite the taking of traffic improvement measures, of the measures and plans to be implemented by the authorities in the future, including whether it will co-ordinate with the Police and step up law enforcement, so as to minimise the risk of traffic accidents occurring on such roads; and
(5) whether it has drawn on the practices of other countries and regions or explored other feasible measures to further enhance the alertness and crisis awareness of road users when passing through traffic black spots?
Reply:
President,
After consulting the Transport Department (TD), my response to the questions raised by the Hon Adrian Ho regarding traffic accidents and measures to improve road safety at traffic accident black spots is as follows:
(1) The number of traffic accidents that occurred at black spots between 2020 and 2024, along with their proportion of the total annual traffic accidents, is shown in the table below. The figures for 2020 to 2022 may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in traffic accidents in 2023 and 2024 was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of minor accidents.
| Year | Numbers of traffic accidents occurred at black spots | Proportion to the total number of traffic accidents in that year |
| 2020 | 448 | 2.9% |
| 2021 | 355 | 2.0% |
| 2022 | 479 | 3.2% |
| 2023 | 729 | 4.2% |
| 2024 | 649 | 3.5% |
(2) and (4) The Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to enhance road safety and reduce traffic accidents at the source. Key initiatives include investigating and analysing the causes of traffic accidents at black spots, formulating targeted improvement measures, reviewing legislation to strengthen driving safety requirements and increase the deterrent effect of penalties, improving road design and traffic management, incorporating technology to enhance traffic oversight, and stepping up publicity, education, and law enforcement.
In general, most traffic accidents are attributed to driver-related factors such as inattentive driving, tailgating, and careless lane changes. To address these issues, the TD will continue to collaborate with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Road Safety Council to raise drivers' awareness through education campaigns and stricter enforcement. The TD is also focused on analysing accident data from black spots and other high-risk locations to identify common patterns and causes, enabling the formulation of targeted improvement measures.
In addition, the Government has reviewed existing legislation in light of research findings, technological advancements, and practices from other regions. In 2024, several legislative amendments were submitted to the Legislative Council to strengthen road safety, including requirements for electric vehicles to be equipped with an acoustic vehicle alerting system, for vehicles with extendable aerial structures to have an over-height warning system, and for child passengers in private cars to use child restraining devices. These measures further protect road users. Furthermore, the Government has proposed to increase fixed penalties for 19 traffic offences under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance, such as speeding, failure to comply with traffic signs and markings, crossing double white lines, and using mobile phones while driving, to enhance their deterrent effect.
The TD has also implemented traffic management and road improvement measures tailored to specific situations. These include adjusting traffic signals, adding central dividers, improving pedestrian facilities, and optimising signage and road markings. At the junction of Morrison Hill Road and Sports Road in Happy Valley, mentioned in the enquiry, the TD has introduced several traffic improvements over recent years. These include new signs reading "Stop 15 metres ahead" and "Beware of vehicles from the right," lane-narrowing hatched markings and "Slow down" indicators, and yellow speed-reduction road markings. In late June 2025, the TD rearranged signs at the junction and added a "Stop and give way" warning sign with white letters on a red background to clearly signal the need to yield. Temporary water-filled barriers were also placed along lanes leading to Queen's Road East and Aberdeen Tunnel to encourage speed reduction. The TD will continue to monitor the junction's conditions, evaluate traffic impact, and consider further feasible improvements.
Regarding zebra crossings, the TD is replacing traditional Belisha beacons across Hong Kong to make crossings more visible and safer. These efforts are complemented by education and enforcement activities reminding drivers to stop for pedestrians. Additionally, the Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System is improving the pedestrian environment and road safety. The system is being expanded to approximately 50 independent signalised junctions starting in 2026. After a successful trial across eight linked signalised junctions in Tung Chung Town Centre, pilot installations will continue at other busy junctions. Data collected will help inform long-term strategies. The TD and the HKPF will also continue to leverage new technologies to improve traffic management and enhance road safety.
(3) Between 2020 and 2024, the TD carried out road improvement works at approximately 70 traffic accident black spots and other locations with a relatively high frequency of accidents. As of now, improvement works have been completed at over 50 of these sites. Among them, 30 locations recorded a reduction in overall traffic accidents and casualties by approximately 24 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, within one year following the completion of the works, compared to the year prior. For the remaining 20-plus locations, improvement works were completed less than a year ago, and the TD is currently gathering further data for analysis.
(5) In line with practices adopted by other countries and regions, the TD will implement measures to enhance driver awareness based on the specific conditions of individual traffic accident black spots and other areas with a higher concentration of accidents. These measures include installing appropriate traffic signs and road markings, such as "Pedestrian crossing ahead", "Traffic signals ahead", "Reduce speed now", "Sharp deviation", "Steep hill downwards ahead", and "Slow down", to provide drivers with a clearer understanding of the road conditions ahead and help them prepare accordingly to reduce accident risks. As mentioned above, we will continue to upgrade road infrastructure throughout Hong Kong, leverage new technologies, and conduct timely legislative reviews from a comprehensive standpoint to foster a safer road environment and reduce traffic accidents.
Ends/Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:02